soft-footadj.adv.
/ˈsɒf(t)fʊt/, U.S. /ˈsɔf(t)ˌfʊt/, /ˈsɑf(t)ˌfʊt/ A. adj.
= soft-footed adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [adjective] > having specific manner of walking > light-footed
lightOE
light-footeda1425
lightfoot1440
feather-footed1565
tripping1567
nimble-footed1592
soft-foot1598
light-heeled1600
soft-footed1603
soft-footed1607
nimble-heeled1656
quick-foot1658
feather-heeleda1674
tickle-heeled1740
nimble-stepping1832
tripsome1846
twinkle-toed1960
1598 G. Chapman in C. Marlowe & G. Chapman Hero & Leander (new ed.) v. sig. K Sol, and the soft-foote Howrs hung on his armes.
1650 Hymn for Epiphanie in 2 Hymns Nativity of Christ 13 The Nightly Ladies soft-foot Teem Will meet thee in a starry way.
1767 F. Fawkes in tr. Theocritus Idylliums 141 Once more the soft-foot hours approaching flow.
1916 D. H. Lawrence Amores 73 When I carried my mother downstairs..at the beginning Of her soft-foot malady.
1959 Listener 8 Jan. 60/2 The soft-foot priest.
1993 Country Aug. 15/1 The secret to great line dancing..lies in soft-foot stepping.
B. adv.
With a soft or light tread; on tiptoe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [adverb] > on tiptoe
soft-foot1902
tippy-toed1938
1902 K. Tynan Handsome Quaker 5 I am so used to a clash of a sword at my heels..that it is hard for me to go soft-foot and without a swagger.
1973 A. Delano Breathless Diversions ix. 203 Muratz had just stepped soft-foot in the door behind Oily and was standing there unnoticed.
2013 M. Clothier Empress 432 Theo walked, soft-foot, to where the men's weapons lay piled.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
soft-footv.
/ˈsɒf(t)fʊt/, /ˌsɒf(t)ˈfʊt/, U.S. /ˈsɔf(t)ˌfʊt/, /ˈsɑf(t)ˌfʊt/ North American.
To tread softly or lightly; to tiptoe.
a. transitive with it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk upon or tread [verb (transitive)] > tread lightly
overtripa1583
pat1703
trip1749
light-foot1887
soft-foot1912
1912 Ainslee's Aug. 67/2 They soft-footed it away beyond range of the senora's snores.
1972 J. Mosher Some would call it Adultery iii. xiv. 133 As he soft footed it through the kitchen, father began to whistle a tune she liked.
2012 F. Delaney Last Storyteller (2013) li. 136 I stepped forward again, trying to soft-foot it on the cobbles.
b. intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk, tread, or step [verb (intransitive)] > lightly
trip?a1400
tripplea1640
link1718
tap1749
pat1767
tip1819
flip1862
light-foot1887
soft-foot1913
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > stealthy movement > move stealthily [verb (intransitive)]
besteala725
snikec897
steal1154
creepc1175
skulk?c1225
snaker?c1225
stalkc1300
slenchc1330
lurka1375
slinkc1374
snokec1380
slide1382
slipc1400
mitchera1575
sneak1598
snake1818
sly1825
snoop1832
to steal one's way1847
sniggle1881
gumshoe1897
slime1898
pussyfoot1902
soft-foot1913
cat-foot1916
pussy1919
pussa1953
1913 Sat. Evening Post 20 Sept. 15/3 Virgil Custard soft-footed out of the Woodpecker's Hole and hurried off to find the woman; he moved as if treading on eggs, and shied at his shadow.
1939 Ottawa Evening Jrnl. 22 July 12/8 He softfooted to the window and looked inside.
1995 L. R. Hubbard Typewriter in Sky iii. 15 The black head was poked in the door again and the servant soft-footed up for the tray.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.adv.1598v.1912